Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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93. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps her Department is taking to tackle the rate of Christian and religious persecution internationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65827/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief is a priority in Ireland. The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion (more commonly referred to as freedom of religion or belief) is a fundamental freedom, enshrined in Article 18 of both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. We advance this freedom both in our multilateral and bilateral engagements.

Ireland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, including instances when Christians face persecution for exercising the right to practice their faith. Ireland consistently raises issues related to freedom of religion or belief at the United Nations, including at the UN Human Rights Council and during the Universal Periodic Review process, which acts as a peer review of the human rights situation in all UN Member States.

Most recently, at the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee in October, Ireland restated our concern for the persecution of people on the basis of their religion. In particular, we condemned all acts of hatred, including the oppression of Christians, during the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.

In January of this year the Council of the European Union approved the EU’s priorities in United Nations Human Rights Fora which, included a call upon States to uphold freedom of religion or belief, as enshrined in article 10 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. I support this call and am ready to continue to show Ireland’s unwavering support for these fundamental rights, both nationally and at multilateral fora.